Accounting for Contractors & Construction

You Didn't Get Into Construction to Do Paperwork.

Running a contracting business is demanding enough without chasing down receipts, worrying about payroll tax deadlines, or guessing at your job margins. We handle the back office so you can stay focused on the work that actually makes you money.

Serving IL & WI contractors since 1981 Accounting, tax & payroll under one roof QuickBooks Online specialists
Sound familiar?

The Accounting Challenges Contractors Face

Cash flow is feast or famine

Big jobs come in, then nothing for weeks. Without proper cash flow visibility, it's hard to plan for slow periods, make equipment decisions, or know when you can actually afford to hire.

Job costing is a guessing game

You finish a job and aren't sure if you made money on it. Without proper job costing built into your books, profitable-looking projects can quietly drain your margins.

Payroll is complicated and time-sensitive

Field workers, overtime, subcontractors, certified payroll — construction payroll is more complex than most industries, and the penalties for getting it wrong are steep.

Tax time is always a scramble

Equipment depreciation, contractor deductions, Section 179 — there's real money on the table, but only if someone's been watching your books all year, not just at filing time.

What we handle

Accounting Services Built for Contractors

Everything your contracting business needs — handled by one team that knows your industry.

📒

Monthly Bookkeeping

Bank and credit card reconciliation, general ledger, balance sheet, and P&L — every month without fail.

📋

Tax Preparation & Planning

Business and personal returns, equipment depreciation, Section 179, and year-round planning to minimize what you owe.

💼

Payroll Services

Full-service payroll through Payroll Freedom — field workers, overtime, and subcontractor tracking handled accurately.

📈

Cash Flow Visibility

Monthly financials that show you exactly where you stand — so you can make confident decisions about bids, hiring, and equipment.

🏗️

Fixed Asset & Depreciation Tracking

Equipment, vehicles, and tools tracked properly so your depreciation deductions are maximized every year.

🎯

Retirement Plans

SEP-IRA, Solo 401(k), and group plans to help you build personal wealth while reducing your taxable income.

Contractors we work with

We Work With All Types of Construction Professionals

From general contractors to specialty trades — if you build things in Illinois or Wisconsin, we know your world.

General Contractors
Remodeling Contractors
Plumbing & HVAC
Electrical Contractors
Roofing & Siding
Drywall & Painting
Paving, Masonry & Concrete
Landscaping & Snow Removal
Demolition Contractors
Engineers & Architects
Specialty Trade Contractors
Subcontractors
Why Accounting Freedom

We Know the Construction Business

We've been working with contractors in Illinois and Wisconsin for over 40 years. We understand the seasonal nature, the cash flow cycles, and the tax opportunities specific to your industry.

🏠

Local & Established

We've been serving IL and WI contractors since 1981. We know the local market, the state tax codes, and the specific challenges contractors in this region face.

📦

One Firm for Everything

Accounting, tax, payroll, and retirement planning — all coordinated by one team. No more managing multiple vendors who don't talk to each other.

🖥️

Live in QuickBooks Online

We work directly in your QBO file so your books are always current. No waiting for month-end reports to find out where you stand.

💬

Responsive When You Need Us

You don't have time to wait days for a callback. Your dedicated Client Advisor responds quickly and speaks in plain language — not accounting jargon.

Common questions

Contractor Accounting Questions We Hear Often

Do you handle accounting for both residential and commercial contractors? +
Yes — we work with residential, commercial, and mixed contractors. The accounting principles are similar but the tax considerations and cash flow patterns differ. We tailor our approach to your specific mix of work.
Can you help with subcontractor payments and 1099s? +
Yes. We track subcontractor payments throughout the year and prepare 1099s at year-end. Staying current on this avoids year-end scrambles and keeps you compliant with IRS reporting requirements.
How do you handle equipment depreciation? +
We track all fixed assets — equipment, vehicles, tools — and apply the appropriate depreciation method each year. We also evaluate Section 179 and bonus depreciation opportunities annually to maximize your deductions.
We have seasonal cash flow — can you help us plan for slow periods? +
Absolutely. Monthly financials and cash flow visibility are core to what we do. Core Pro clients also get a 90-day cash flow forecast — so you can see what's coming and make decisions before you're in a bind, not after.

Let's Talk About Your Contracting Business.

Schedule a free consultation and we'll walk you through how we can take the accounting burden off your plate — so you can focus on the work that actually moves your business forward.

Illinois: 847-949-8373  |  Wisconsin: 262-375-2440